Posters dot Main Street in Hailey, Idaho, hometown of Bowe Bergdahl on June 6. / Michael Chow for USA TODAY

by Jim Michaels, USA TODAY

by Jim Michaels, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON - Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who spent five years in captivity in Afghanistan before being released in a prisoner swap, has been publicly vilified despite having endured "a terrible evil," his attorney said Wednesday.

The Army is conducting an investigation into allegations that Bergdahl walked off his remote post in Afghanistan without authorization before militants seized him.

Eugene Fidell, a prominent military justice expert and attorney who teaches at Yale Law School, said in an interview Wednesday that he is representing Bergdahl.

"In due course the American people will know more about this scenario and they will draw their own conclusions," he said.

Bergdahl has not spoken publicly about his ordeal.

Fidell also said that Bergdahl was grateful to President Obama "for having saved his life."

The Army announced this week that Bergdahl, who was freed from captivity May 31, has returned to normal duty in San Antonio and has assumed an administrative job at the headquarters for U.S. Army North. Having completed the reintegration process he is now able to speak with investigators, the Pentagon has said.

Bergdahl has not yet met with Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl, who is leading the investigation into the circumstances of Bergdahl's disappearance. That may not happen for several weeks because of Fidell's availability, Fidell said.

Fidell said he has spoken with Dahl and his interactions with the Army have been professional. An Army attorney has been assigned to work with Fidell.

The Obama administration has been criticized for negotiating with the Taliban and releasing five militants from detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in return for Bergdahl's freedom. The militants were turned over to the Qatar government, where they are to remain for a year.

Soldiers who served with Bergdahl were critical of his actions because they said he left his post without authorization and a subsequent search risked the lives of Americans.